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Suppose you?re interested in immigrating to the US or another country, but you are finding the pathways to immigration challenges. In that case, you want an immigration lawyer to help you overcome the hurdles in your path. Effective SEO for immigration law firms can make it easy to find potential advocates. However, it pays to know what to look for in the ideal immigration lawyer.
Experience
Finding the ideal immigration lawyer is not the same as finding other types of professionals. For example, if you have a heart problem, you go to a doctor with years of resident training in internal medicine and cardiology. You can ask them for their board certification as a cardiologist to confirm their specialty.
Lawyers don’t specialize in specific areas of practice in school, like doctors or engineers. They become adept through experience. Immigration lawyers start out as any other law student. However, they may take courses on immigration and international human rights law. After graduating and passing the American Bar Association and state bar exams, aspiring immigration lawyers apply to join immigration law firms. They may also join the American Immigration Lawyers Association to start networking.
Some US states offer specialization certifications, including in immigration law. One example is the State Bar of California Legal Specialization. Some universities, such as the UC Davis School of Law, also offer certification programs for law students. However, these certificates do not mean a lawyer has the practical experience needed to handle your case.
The ideal immigration lawyer has several years of experience representing clients who share your circumstances successfully. You can ask for references to confirm that their clients are happy with the service they received. That is the best way to check if they can help you achieve your objectives.
Communication Skills
A license to practice and relevant experience are critical for an immigration lawyer. Still, they are not the only things they should have. You want an immigration lawyer with excellent communication skills, preferably in your language.
Because the immigration process tends to be complex, you cannot afford any misunderstandings. Many nuances can get lost in the translation, making the work more difficult. While the lawyer does not have to be a native speaker, it helps if you can talk to each other without needing an interpreter.
Communication skills are not just oral. Written communications are essential for an immigration lawyer, especially if they must present your case to authorities. They must be clear and persuasive when they deal with clients and the authorities. If they don’t come across as credible to you, it?s unlikely they will make a compelling impression on others.
Attention to Detail
The immigration process in many countries typically involves a ton of paperwork. You must complete multiple forms and file them correctly and on time. Assuming you get all your documentation together, it is easy to make small mistakes that result in delays.
Experienced immigration lawyers have an eagle eye for details. They know the process thoroughly and can manage extensive filings without making mistakes. They can also spot potential problems with your application and address them before they become an issue.
At the very least, the ideal immigration lawyer will not waste your time. They will not go forward with an application knowing it will not pass.
Listening Skills
Experience notwithstanding, a lawyer may encounter unique cases requiring a different approach. Suppose they are not listening closely to the client. They might miss nuances in the application that will significantly affect a case’s success.
A lawyer who listens also indicates someone who invests in the client. You want someone who invests their time and attention in your case. Those are indications of a true advocate.
Empathy
Empathy is the capacity to take another person’s perspective and experience it as if it were your own. That is a critical trait of an immigration lawyer. Immigrating is often stressful because it means leaving homes and everything familiar behind for the many unknowns. You want a lawyer who truly cares about your situation and what happens to you.
An empathetic person will go the extra mile to ensure the best possible outcome for their client. Empathy might not amount to much in something like a visa application. However, it can make a significant difference if you are facing deportation.
Ability To Think Ahead
Thinking ahead is critical for any lawyer because it helps them anticipate potential problems and plan for them accordingly. It is especially crucial for an immigration lawyer because there are many moving parts involved in immigration. They must have a contingency plan for every scenario, from application to final approval.
A healthy dose of pessimism is a good sign that your lawyer knows the difficulties ahead. Beware of an immigration lawyer who seems overly confident that nothing can go wrong. You might want to get a second opinion.
Takeaways
The ideal immigration lawyer has the legal knowledge, practical experience, and soft skills to handle your case effectively. Find someone empathetic who specializes in handling clients in situations like yours and will take time to listen and act proactively. In most cases, you only get one chance to apply, so ensure you have the right advocate.